graves



N0. 625,l04. Patented May l6, I899.

J. GRAVES.

SHEET METAL MANTEL.

(Application filed Aug. 27, 1897.)

(No Model.)

llNiTEn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN GRAVES, OF NEWV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,

- TO FRANK T. MORRILL, OF SAME PLACE.

SHEET-M ETAL MANTEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 625,104, dated May 16,1899.

Application filed August 2?, 1 897. Serial No. 649,764. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN GRAVES, a citizen of the United States,residing in New York, (Brooklyn,) in the county of Kings and State ofNew York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSheet-Metal Mantels, of which the following is a specification.

The improvements in mantels forming the subject of this inventionconsist in so con* structing mantels made of sheet metal as to greatlyincrease the adaptability and facilitate the application of this classof mantels and to lessen their cost of manufacture.

The main feature of this invention consists in making the wall-platesseparate and independent of the main portion of the mantel, which, withthe exception of the shelf, comprises all the parts, as the frieze,pilasters, pro-files, &c., preferably made of a single piece of asuitable sheet metal. This permits of the use and application of mantelsof a given size to chimneys of different widths, as the detachedwall-plates of given widths may be set up so as to extend more or less,as the case may be, within the profiles of the mantel, the edges of saidprofiles resting and bearing against the fronts of the wall-plates. Thisis a very advantageous feature of construction, for with mantels inwhich the wall-plates are integral with the other parts it is verydifficult and sometimes impossible to adapt a given size or design ofmantel to the chimney it may be selected for.

The invention also embodies an improved brace and fastening deviceadapted to stiffen the mantel and to provide a means by which it may besecured in place against the chimney.

To describe my invention more particularly, I will now refer to theaccompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a mantel embodying my improvements.Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2 2, Fig.1. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the brace and fastening-piece; and Fig. 4 is avertical section taken on the line 4 a, Fig. 1.

Mantels of this description are formed or stamped up insuitably-constructed dies from sheet metal, sheet-steel beinggenerallyand preferably used for the purpose. The manform the horizontalflange F. These flanges E E and F constitute the boundary of thegrate-opening and add strength and rigidity to the parts of the mantelfrom which they extend. To further strengthen and stiffen the mainportion of the mantel,I make use of bracing pieces G, formed of stripsof metal, as shown in perspective, Fig. 3, in such shape as to extendfromthe inner edges of the profiles CO along or adjacent to the Wall ofthe chimney and outwardly to the inturned edges of the pilasters B B.The ends H of the pieces G are riveted to the flanges D D, and the endsI are riveted to the flanges E E, two of such pieces being attached toeach side of the mantel, as'shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1, onenear the lower ends, as shown in Fig. 2, and one at the top of thepilasters, as shown in Fig. 4. These pieces G are preferably corrugatedto add to their rigidity and are employed to secure the mantel to thewall by means of the hooks J J, which are driven tening pieces Gareshown at each side of the mantel. It will be understood that more may beused if thought desirable.

The wall-plates K K are separate from and independent of the mantelproper. They are made of sheet metal channeled or with the edges turnedup, which edges are placed against the wall and pressed somewhat intothe plaster, so as to insure the said wall-plates being held securely inposition.

i In setting up a mantel of this description the wall-plates K K areplaced in their right positions and relatively to the corners of aprojecting chimney when the mantel is to be applied to such, as shown, LL, Fig. 2, representing the profiles of a chimney, the flanged edges ofthe wall-plates being pressed into the plaster facing of the wall. Thesheet-metal mantel is then placed in position with the flanges D D ofthe profiles bearing against the faces of the wall-plates. The hooks JJ, previously driven into the Wall in the right positions, are then bentor twisted so their hooked ends catch over the central parts of thebrace fastening-pieces G G, which are pressed or sprung toward the walland which by their resilience hold the mantel firmly against thewall-plates and the Wall. The wall-plates used in combination with theother parts of the mantel, applied as here shown, are, as will be seen,considerably wider than is necessary in the particular application ofthe mantel, a considerable part of them being behind the mantel, and itis evident that they may be set out much farther when a mantel of thesize I shown is to be applied to a wider chimney. The spaces between theinner edges of the pilasters B B and the Wall are then filled withbricks M M, thus forming the chimney-jambs or a continuation of thechimney-jambs when the mantel is applied to an open fireplace. The upperpart of the opening is also bricked up, the outer ends of the lowerlayerof bricks N resting on the internal flange F of the frieze. The otherparts of the space behind the pilasters may be filled with any suitablematerial or rubble, as may also be the upper part of the frieze, insteadof its being entirely filled with bricks, as shown.

The shelf 0 is represented as composed of sheet metal. It may be made ofslate or other suitable material and secured in position by any suitablemeans in such manner as is well understood.

The junctures of the brace and fastening pieces G G and the flanges Dand E, as well as the adjacent faces of the flanges D D and Wall-platesK K, are for perspicuity shown separated in the drawings. It will ofcourse be understood that these parts will be in close intimate contact,the rivets drawing the parts they connect firmly together and the headsof the rivets on the outside being countersunk.

The central part of the mantel is shown open. Summer-boards, registers,and analogous devices may be applied thereto in the usual manner.

I claim as my invention 1. In a mantel, the combination of a main piececomprising a frieze, pilasters and profiles formed of a single piece ofsheet metal with the edges of the pilasters and of the profiles turnedin to form flanges, bracing and stiffening pieces of strip metalextending between the flanges of the pilasters and profiles with theirends connected respectively to said flanges, the parts of saidbracing-pieces eX- tending along the wall being curved to impartresilience thereto, and hooks driven into the wall and embracing thecurved parts of said braces.

2. In a mantel, the combination of main piece comprising a frieze,pilasters and profiles formed of a single piece of sheet metal with theedges of the pilasters and of the profiles turned in to form flanges,bracing and stiffening pieces of strip metal extending between theflanges of the pilasters and profiles with their ends connectedrespectively to said flanges, the parts of said bracing-pieces extendingalong the wall being curved to impart resilience thereto, hooksdriveninto the wall and embracing the curved parts of said braces, andwall-plates of separate pieces of sheet metal with their edges turned upso as to extend into the wall and held in adjusted position behind thepilasters by the edges of the profiles.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto sub scribed my name.

JOHN GRAVES.

Witnesses:

FRANK 'S. OBER, ALFRED SHEDLOCK.

